HIT, RUN, REPEAT: CAL STATE HOPES PRACTICE LEADS TO TITLE

Practice alone doesn’t make perfect, said California State University San Marcos softball coach Dave Williams.

But with repetition in practice and the right players, Williams believes a team has a chance to contend for a national title.

“I’ve learned over time that you need to develop a system and stick with it,” Williams said. “If you do that, you have a chance to be successful.

“I’ve picked up things from people like John Wooden and Vince Lombardi. I’ve developed a system, a philosophy.”

That philosophy is that players learn from repetition.

“Whether it’s hitting or fielding, if you can repeat the same action, you have a chance to succeed,” Williams said.

“If we take 10,000 ground balls and you take 1,000, it stands to reason the person taking 10,000 will be better. If we take 8,000 swings, and our opponent takes 2,000, we should be better.

“Practicing hard gets stale, so I have to add variety to make it fun. But there is no substitute for hard work.

“This is a great school in an excellent location. It’s a safe environment, so we attract NCAA Division I athletes.”

The system has paid off handsomely for Williams and Cal State San Marcos.

Williams has a 680-204 record in 15-plus seasons — 12 at Point Loma Nazarene and three-plus at CSUSM.

His Cougars have been to the NAIA Final Four two straight seasons and are 14-3 and ranked No. 1 in the NAIA this season after sweeping a four-game series at Arizona Christian over the weekend.

CSUSM returns to action with four games this weekend, hosting the Cougar Clash, facing Arizona Christian and Hope International on Friday before hosting Arizona Christian and La Sierra on Sunday.

“I love this sport,” said infielder Alex Miller, a two-time All-American, who played at West Hills High. “You can only play four years in college, so I’m willing to work hard.

“The coaches put us in stressful situations so that we’re mentally prepared for whatever challenge comes up. The NAIA Tournament is a marathon, so we’ll play 10 games from March 1-11 to prepare for that.

“I was really attracted to this program because it’s close to home, it’s a new program, it has a brand-new field. Dave Williams built this field, built the program.

“This team is like family, we’re all friends. We want to leave a legacy, and get our education paid for, too.”

Miller, who is president of the Student Athletic Council, said her goal this season — in addition to the national championship — is to lead the NAIA in doubles.

She had 17 as a freshman, 21 last season and already has 10 this season after a four-double series in Arizona.

No softball program is successful without a great pitcher.

And the Cougars have senior Cortney Allen.

Allen was 24-6 last season and was a first-team NAIA All-American. She’s already 11-1 this season with a perfect game against La Sierra.

She was the winning pitcher in all four games against Arizona Christian, allowing just eight hits, one run with two walks and 18 strikeouts.